#Software Republic

[softwarerepublictx]

Choosing the right landscape design software for your projects is crucial for achieving the best results efficiently and effectively. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one suits your needs. Whether you're a professional landscaper, a landscape architect, or a DIY enthusiast, selecting the appropriate tool will streamline your design process and help you bring your vision to life. Here’s a guide on how to choose the perfect landscape design software for your projects. 

[softwarerepublic]

The Importance of Efficient Irrigation Design

Efficient irrigation design is not just about watering your plants; it's about doing so in a way that minimizes waste and maximizes the effectiveness of each drop. Inefficient irrigation practices can lead to overwatering, which not only wastes water but also causes plant diseases and can damage the root systems. On the other hand, underwatering can result in stunted growth and a lack of vitality in your plants. For more information visit our website softwarerepublic

To achieve efficient irrigation design, it is crucial to understand the water requirements of your landscape and the factors that impact water efficiency. By doing so, you can create a system that delivers just the right amount of water to your plants, optimizing their growth while conserving this valuable resource.

Understanding Water Efficiency and Conservation

Water efficiency refers to the ability to achieve desired outcomes with the least amount of water possible. It involves making informed decisions about irrigation design, selecting appropriate equipment, and implementing efficient watering schedules. By improving water efficiency, you can reduce water waste, lower your water bills, and contribute to sustainable water management.

Water conservation, on the other hand, involves actively working to preserve and protect water resources. It goes beyond efficiency and focuses on reducing overall water consumption. While efficient irrigation design plays a significant role in water conservation, other practices such as rainwater harvesting and using drought-tolerant plants can further contribute to preserving this precious resource.

Factors to Consider in Irrigation Design

Before designing your irrigation system, it is essential to consider various factors that can influence its effectiveness. These factors include the type of soil in your landscape, the climate of your region, the slope of your land, and the types of plants you are watering.

Soil type plays a crucial role in determining how water moves through the ground and how much water your plants can absorb. Sandy soils, for example, drain quickly, while clay soils tend to hold water for longer periods. Understanding your soil type will help you determine the appropriate irrigation techniques and watering schedules.

The climate in your region also affects irrigation design. Areas with high temperatures and low humidity, for instance, may require more frequent watering than regions with cooler climates. Additionally, considering the rainfall patterns in your area can help you determine the supplemental irrigation needed.

The slope of your land is another critical factor to consider. Steep slopes can cause water runoff, leading to uneven watering and potential erosion. By designing your irrigation system to accommodate the slope, you can ensure that water reaches all areas of your landscape evenly.

Lastly, understanding the water requirements of the plants in your landscape is crucial. Different plants have varying needs when it comes to water, and designing your irrigation system to meet these requirements will ensure optimal plant health.

Types of Irrigation Systems

When it comes to irrigation systems, there are several options to choose from, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most common types include sprinkler systems, drip irrigation, and soaker hoses.

Sprinkler systems are popular for their versatility and ability to cover large areas. They work by spraying water over the landscape, simulating rainfall. This type of system is ideal for lawns, gardens, and athletic fields. However, it is important to select the right type of sprinklers and nozzles to minimize overspray and ensure even water distribution.

Drip irrigation, on the other hand, delivers water directly to the roots of plants, minimizing evaporation and runoff. This method is highly efficient and suitable for areas with limited water availability. Drip irrigation is commonly used in vegetable gardens, flower beds, and landscaping projects.

Soaker hoses are another option for efficient irrigation. These hoses have tiny pores that allow water to seep out slowly, directly into the soil. Soaker hoses are ideal for watering specific areas, such as flower beds and shrubs. They are cost-effective and easy to install, making them a popular choice among homeowners.

Designing for Specific Landscapes - Lawns, Gardens, and Agricultural Fields

Different landscapes have unique irrigation requirements, and designing a system tailored to the specific needs of your landscape is essential for optimal results.

When it comes to lawns, efficient irrigation design involves considering factors such as soil type, grass variety, and climate. It is important to choose the appropriate sprinklers and nozzles to ensure even coverage and avoid overspray onto sidewalks or driveways. Additionally, understanding the water requirements of your grass will help you determine the right watering schedule to maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn.

In gardens, designing an efficient irrigation system involves considering the specific needs of each plant. Drip irrigation is often the preferred method for gardens as it allows for precise watering and minimizes water waste. By grouping plants with similar water requirements together and using adjustable emitters, you can ensure that each plant receives the appropriate amount of water.

For agricultural fields, irrigation design must take into account factors such as crop type, soil conditions, and field size. Large-scale irrigation systems, such as center pivots and drip systems, are commonly used in agriculture to deliver water efficiently and uniformly. Implementing sensors and automation technology can further optimize irrigation in agricultural settings.

Calculating Water Requirements and Scheduling Irrigation

Calculating the water requirements for your landscape is an essential step in designing an efficient irrigation system. By determining the amount of water your plants need, you can avoid over or underwatering, saving water and promoting healthy growth.

To calculate water requirements, you need to consider factors such as plant type, evapotranspiration rates, and soil moisture levels. Plant type plays a significant role in determining water needs as different plants have varying water requirements. Evapotranspiration refers to the combined loss of water through evaporation from the soil and transpiration from the plants. By understanding evapotranspiration rates in your region, you can estimate the amount of water your plants need.

Soil moisture levels are crucial for determining irrigation frequency. Measuring soil moisture can be done using moisture sensors or by conducting simple tests such as the finger test. Monitoring soil moisture levels will help you schedule irrigation based on the actual needs of your plants, rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

Once you have calculated the water requirements, it's time to schedule irrigation. It is generally recommended to water early in the morning when temperatures are cooler, and evaporation rates are lower. This allows plants to absorb water before the heat of the day. Avoid watering in the evening as it can promote the growth of fungal diseases.

Choosing the Right Irrigation Components - Controllers, Valves, and Sprinklers

Choosing the right irrigation components is crucial for the effectiveness and efficiency of your system. There are several key components to consider, including controllers, valves, and sprinklers.

Controllers, also known as timers, are the brains of your irrigation system. They allow you to automate the watering process and set specific schedules. When choosing a controller, look for features such as weather-based programming, which adjusts watering based on local weather conditions, and water-saving options like cycle and soak, which allows water to penetrate the soil before applying more.

Valves control the flow of water through your irrigation system. It is essential to select high-quality valves that are durable and resistant to leaks. Consider features such as flow control, which allows you to adjust water pressure, and pressure regulation, which maintains consistent water flow.

Sprinklers are the final component of your irrigation system, and choosing the right ones is crucial for even water distribution and minimizing overspray. There are various types of sprinklers available, including rotor sprinklers, spray sprinklers, and impact sprinklers. Consider factors such as coverage area, precipitation rate, and adjustability when selecting sprinklers for your landscape.

Incorporating Smart Irrigation Technology

In recent years, smart irrigation technology has revolutionized the way we approach irrigation design. These intelligent systems use weather data, soil moisture sensors, and advanced algorithms to deliver water precisely when and where it is needed.

Smart controllers, for example, adjust watering schedules based on real-time weather conditions, preventing unnecessary irrigation during rainy periods. Soil moisture sensors provide feedback on the moisture levels in the soil, allowing for more accurate irrigation scheduling. Additionally, advanced algorithms consider multiple factors, such as plant type, soil type, and slope, to determine the optimal watering schedule.

By incorporating smart irrigation technology into your design, you can further enhance water efficiency and reduce water waste. These systems also provide real-time data and remote control capabilities, allowing you to monitor and adjust your irrigation system from anywhere, saving time and ensuring optimal plant health.

Maintaining and Optimizing Your Irrigation System

Once your irrigation system is installed, it is essential to maintain and optimize its performance for long-term efficiency. Regular maintenance helps prevent leaks, clogs, and other issues that can lead to water waste and inefficient irrigation.

Start by checking for leaks in your system. Inspect all valves, connections, and sprinklers for any signs of leakage. Repair or replace any damaged components to ensure proper water distribution.

Cleaning sprinkler heads and nozzles is another important maintenance task. Over time, debris can accumulate and block the flow of water, leading to uneven watering. Regularly inspect and clean your sprinkler heads to maintain optimal performance.

Adjusting sprinkler heads is crucial for proper water distribution. Ensure that each sprinkler head is aligned correctly and adjusted to the appropriate height. This will help prevent overspray and ensure that water reaches the intended areas.

Regularly monitor and adjust your watering schedule based on the changing needs of your landscape. As plants grow and weather conditions change, it is essential to adapt your irrigation schedule accordingly. By staying proactive and making necessary adjustments, you can optimize water efficiency and plant health.

Achieving Efficient Irrigation Design for Sustainable Water Management

Efficient irrigation design is essential for maximizing plant health, conserving water, and contributing to sustainable water management. By considering factors such as soil type, climate, and plant water requirements, you can create an irrigation system that delivers the right amount of water at the right time.

Choosing the appropriate irrigation components, incorporating smart irrigation technology, and regularly maintaining your system will further enhance water efficiency and reduce water waste. By implementing these strategies and techniques, you can transform your landscape into a flourishing oasis of green while promoting sustainable water management.

Remember, efficient irrigation design is a continuous process. Regularly assess and adjust your system based on the changing needs of your landscape and the latest advancements in irrigation technology. By doing so, you can ensure long-term performance and make a positive impact on water conservation efforts. So, get started on designing your efficient irrigation system and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and thriving landscape while saving water.

[irrigationdesignsoftware]

Software Republic

[tossawary]

One of my favorite parts of the original "Star Wars" trilogy is when it cuts to Imperial officers and troopers just having... really shitty days at Evil Work. Love watching some guy obviously desperately rethinking his career path and struggling to stand still as Darth Vader Force-chokes the guy standing next to him over a video call. (They clearly Did Not Know that he could do that.) I get to imagine people within the Empire getting the email that Darth Vader is visiting their workplace and everyone immediately trying to book their vacation days through some crappy bureaucratic portal.

[heycolorwind]

Toys for Bob Goes Indie, Saber Interactive, Gearbox Leave Embracer | Colorwind News

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heycolorwind/video/7345499245245386026

Reels: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4a24evrm4N/

X: https://x.com/HeyColorwind/status/1767578294453690590

Snapchat: https://share.snapchat.com/m/8LudtZMY?share_id=2dRJw6re2Sc&locale=en-US

[varthagamsoft]

VarthagamSoft ERP Software wishes everyone a Happy 76th Republic Day! Today, we honor the courage and vision that have shaped our nation. Let us celebrate the spirit of India and continue working towards a future of growth, peace, and unity.

#RepublicDay #republicdayindia #RepublicDay2025 #HappyRepublicDay #happyrepublicday2025 #Varthagamsoft #billingsoftware

[ishongoofficial]

I'm thankful to you God for your blessings, love and protection over my life

I'm now a university student of#Jostum Benue state Nigeria

My prayer is that may you be my safeguard so as to success in all academics and morals and become the man I wish to be , Amen 🙏.

[lonewolflupe]

Republic Commando March (with music)

This was stuck in my head on my way home from work today (I had this vision of the Delta Ducklings following Mama Boss around), and instead of going to bed after dinner like I needed, I decided to create this.

I didn't choose the RepComm brainrot, the RepComm brainrot chose me

Like always, I apologise for the animation quality, I have no idea what I'm doing (#storyofmylife). Also apologies for not every frame being timed right, but that software hates me and I still haven't found the time nor patience to master this software (and I'll probably never will).

Republic Clone Army March © John Williams / Lucasfilm

I'll probably drop stills of the helmets tomorrow but I'm off to bed now like the responsible adult I am byeeee

Taglist (read to join): @aknightreaderr @returnofthepineapple @sunshinesdaydream @kotemf @thecoffeelorian @star-wars-lycanwing-bat @bixlasagna @dreamie411 @heidnspeak @earlgreyci @cyaretra @bulletproofskoll

[Video ID: a white background with Katarn-style helmets lined up in a row, with Boss in front, Fixer second, then Sev, and lastly Scorch. On the marching rhythm of the 'Republic Clone Army March' song (well I tried), the helmets move forwards like they're marching, looping back around making them march on and on and on. /end ID]

[f1ghtsoftly]

All The Women’s News You Missed This Week

3/10/25-3/17/25

Furious protests erupt in Bangladesh after an 8-year-old girl succumbs to injuries she sustained after being brutally raped. Indian health workers strike for better working conditions. The Queen sends a letter of support to Giselle Pelicot. The Supreme Court will take up conversion therapy bans in a Colorado case and in Kentucky state lawmakers have voted to protect the practice. Ukranian women’s organizations struggle without US funding.

In a piece of good news, Fatou Baldeh, a campaigner against the practice of FGM, has been named Time’s Woman Of The Year.

Want this in your inbox instead? Subscribe here

Opinion and Investigative:

As the US backslides, can China claim moral high ground on women’s rights?

Why US abortion restrictions matter beyond borders

Serbia’s Femicide Record Undermines Claims of Progress on Women’s Rights

The GOP’s Next Target? No-Fault Divorce and Women’s Right to Leave

Lorraine Kelly: Diversity push is leaving working-class people behind

Women, girls bear brunt of cyberbullying against persons with disabilities

“IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD”: ENDOMETRIOSIS PATIENTS AND THE PROMISE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

LGBT:

Supreme Court will take up state bans on conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children, in a Colorado case

Angry response to how transgender lawmaker Sarah McBride introduced

A new anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Hungary would ban Pride event and allow use of facial recognition software

North Dakota Senate rejects resolution asking US Supreme Court to overturn same-sex marriage ruling

Kentucky GOP lawmakers vote to protect conversion therapy

Women’s Rights:

Iran: Authorities target women’s rights activists with arbitrary arrest, flogging and death penalty

Louisiana woman pleads not guilty to a felony in historic abortion case

Risks of state abortion reporting mandates outweigh the benefits, an advocacy group says

Iran using drones and apps to enforce women's dress code

Kentucky lawmakers add specific medical exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban

Driving ban puts brakes on young women in Turkmenistan

Ukrainian women’s rights organisations struggle as US aid suspended

Male Violence:

Search for US student in Dominican Republic intensifies

Things to know about the former megachurch pastor charged with child sexual abuse

Airman charged in killing of Native American woman who went missing 7 months ago in South Dakota

UN experts accuse Israel of sexual violence and 'genocidal acts' in Gaza

'He strangled me without asking' - experts say choking during sex now normal for many

Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads not guilty to updated indictment

Disabled author swamped by hate speech after social media post on feminism

Women Fight Back:

Haitian women commemorate International Women’s Day spotlighting broken justice system

How Iran's 'Woman, Life, Freedom' Protests Live On Today

FGM campaigner honoured with Time magazine title

Teacher ordered to remove signs from classroom, including one saying 'Everyone is welcome here'

Mother of woman who died after Georgia’s six-week abortion ban calls for law’s repeal

Women Radio amplifies African feminist voices

Texas midwife accused by state’s attorney general of providing illegal abortions

BBC presenters settle sex and age discrimination dispute

Queen sent letter of support to Gisèle Pelicot

Yasmeen Lari rejects Israel's Wolf Prize over "continuing genocide in Gaza"

Fierce protests as eight-year-old rape victim dies in Bangladesh

India's frontline health workers fight for better pay and recognition

US arrests second pro-Palestinian Columbia University protester

Women in the News:

Democrat Rebecca Cooke to again challenge US Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Brown Medicine professor and doctor deported to Lebanon despite having valid visa, court filings claim

Woman arrested in US for allegedly holding stepson captive for 20 years

WATCH: Woman trapped in car films as tornado hits Central Florida

'For holding a wombat, thousands threatened my life'

Judge says Fani Willis violated open records law, orders her to pay $54K in attorneys’ fees

Feel Good Stories and Feminist History:

The forgotten story of the woman who invented the dishwasher

The Mexican women who defied drug-dealers, fly-tippers and chauvinists to build a thriving business

Early members of Philly’s roller derby league face off in a match circa 2005-2006. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation U.S., CC BY-ND Philly Roller Derby league turns 20 - here’s how the sport skated its way to feminism, anti-racism and queer liberation

'We couldn't get jobs in sexist garages - so we set up our own'

5 Major Historical Movements Led By Women In Rajasthan

Arts and Culture:

‘Just be radical’: the feminist artist giving Matisse a modern punk twist

The film exploring loneliness of migrant workers

'Santosh' review: Feminist police drama confronts harsh truths

Shabana Azmi On Feminism And Her Powerful Role In ‘Dabba Cartel’

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: I want my books to be read in Africa

Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43

Legendary Russian composer Gubaidulina dies in Germany

Book Review: Patrycja Humienik’s powerful debut poetry collection is a conundrum worth mulling over

13 Nonfiction Books to Read This Women’s History Month

As always, this is global and domestic news from a US perspective, covering feminist issues and women in the news more generally. As of right now, I do not cover Women’s Sports. Published each Monday.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Alex Thomas at The New Republic:

Bernie Sanders seemed genuinely impressed by the size of his Los Angeles rally this weekend. “Unbelievable!” he declared upon reaching the microphone, “there are people half a mile away!” Moments later, he claimed 36,000 people were gathered before him, which constituted “the largest rally that we have ever had.” If I were forced to paint with a broad brush—and at 36,000 people, a broad brush would be the instrument of choice—I’d say the crowd was a coalition of aging hippies and entertainment industry millennials. It was a massive crowd, to be sure, but nobody in the throngs surprised me by their presence. I did manage to find one woman who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 before voting for Biden in 2020. Prior to the rally, she confessed to me, “I’m so thankful [Bernie] is doing this kind of thing.”

This was a message I heard repeatedly from attendees: Those gathered were hoping for hope itself. Maybe even a determination to hope. Noah, a 28-year-old software engineer, told me while waiting in line, “I’m hoping for some answers about how to stay encouraged … I’m hoping this is a positive day and adds some clarity to the situation.” Moments later, his friend Amir chimed in, “Hope has to be cultivated, kind of. And so I think this is, I don’t know—maybe therapy?” There were plenty of therapeutic aspects to the rally, like Joan Baez crooning “Imagine” or Neil Young, Maggie Rogers and Baez singing “Keep on Rocking in the Free World.” But, despite Sanders’s promise that “We’re going to make our revolution with joy. We’re going to sing and dance our way to victory,” it was hard to characterize the crowd as hopeful, much less joyful. Nevertheless, there was a determination among these 36,000 people. A 32-year-old screenwriter named Brett told me: “The only way I know how to go on is to hope and believe—and certainly it won’t happen if we don’t come here and try to work together and listen to each other.”

And there was that other kind of determination as well—the determination to unite a left wing in the place of an official institutional party organ that feels incapable of much at the moment. This was not the hardened Bernie crowd of 2016. I saw far more Harris-Walz shirts than Bernie 2020 shirts. That determination to hope has seemingly expanded the tent. With that in mind, there’s a precarious challenge that Sanders—and, more importantly, his younger proteges who will carry this movement into the post-Trump era—are going to have to face. They have to unite a defeated half of the political spectrum and turn all of these determined sparks of hope into a structured movement. Congressman Maxwell Frost, who spoke before Sanders, told me, “When something big happens in the country and people feel like something’s wrong, they’ll pick one of two things—sometimes it drives them further into apathy, sometimes it drives them into action. Organizers stand at that crossroad and we help give people a political home. That’s what’s going on. We see this billionaire takeover of our country and now as organizers, we have to stand at that crossroad and try to get people into something. Because there’s also a lot of people in this moment who will fall more into apathy and our job is to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Naturally, this crowd was far from apathetic; indifference isn’t a strong enough force to get the average person to stand in the Los Angeles sun all day. Here, the heat was punishing: Sanders had to stop his speech several times to call medics into the crowd, as did several of the other speakers. At one point the nurses’ union rushed off the stage to help. And their assistance was limited to the people they could see: If there really were 36,000 people at this thing, only about 10,000 of them were visible from the stage; the rest were on the other side of a treebank and the press riser. That crowd stood in a dirt lot watching a jumbotron. Beyond them, the streets were filled with people too, just standing. The mood became more vague as you worked your way through the outer reaches; in the further orbit, there was less of that sense of passion and determination. Still, even at the margins there was a consensus among the furthest-flung that this was, for reasons they couldn’t articulate, the place to be. Here on the periphery you’d encounter a hollowed-out dumpster with a younger group perched on the rim, just sitting, watching the event unfold on the big screen. Again, 36,000 people—from the dumpster sitters to the gleeful crowd in the front bouncing a beach ball—is a hard number to do much but generalize. But this crowd showed up for something, and you could hear that among them. On stage, you could see that something taking shape. During her oration, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez connected local action—last week, an LA school superintendent turned away DHS officers attempting to enter his school—to the billionaire takeover of the government. “This moment did not come out of nowhere,” she said, “the destruction of our rights and democracy is directly tied to the growing and extreme wealth inequality that has been growing for years in America.”

[...] On stage, there was a clear passing of the torch and a message taking shape. Sanders’s argument was broad, he bashed “a corrupt campaign finance system” and Elon Musk generally. Both of those were ripe objects of criticism, but Ocasio-Cortez had a more finely tuned message. Like Sanders, she criticized the Democratic Party. While he criticized them for listening to “their billionaires,” she attacked specific practices like congressional stock trading and corporate lobbying, both of which are unpopular. Sanders attacked Trump’s billionaire coterie, but AOC proposed a longer game, telling the crowd, “If we are here to defeat [Trump], we must defeat the system that created him.”

Bernie and AOC’s Fighting Oligarchy Tour has brought out a new movement to fight the Trump/Musk Oligarchy every step.

See Also:

America, America (Steven Beschloss): Taking It to the People

[softwarerepublictx]

Software Republic offers landscape design software and irrigation design software for contractors, consultants, architects, and other green industry professionals. With tens of thousands of users throughout the world, our software has been the choice of design professionals since 1989.

[zexapher]

Stupid Cupid

Started this edit almost an entire year ago, right when RWBY Beyond dropped the boba episode. I immediately caught onto the idea of chibi Ruby being a little cherub to use for shipping characters. Of course, I immediately distracted myself with other creative projects and the Ship Wars 8 (which White Knight won in spectacular fashion btw) and life got in the way. But I came back around to it this past month. Perfect timing really, since it means I got it out for Valentine’s Day.

I just think it’s lovely how CRWBY have nurtured this ship subtly in the background, until they finally decided to get right up in our faces about it with Volume 9. That’s kind of what I wanted to portray here, with Cruby on a mission to make White Knight a reality, but Jaune and Weiss had already grown close without that final brazen intervention.

It’s really something special to start this meme essentially right as Rooster Teeth and RWBY closed down, only to come back and finish it with the news that Rooster Teeth was bought by Burnie and RWBY’s now moved on to VIZ. Both of them continuing on in their way. Kind of heartwarming to be honest, like a message of perseverance, keep on trying even if circumstances bring you down.

I can still see a few influences from my early work on the edit, was playing a little Republic Commando at the time, so we get Ruby’s comment about her skills with a bow confusing and frightening CRWBY. Speaking of, I think we can all see why I chose Cruby as Ruby’s cherub name. Perfect for someone tasked with building up White Knight. And, come on, the shipping rock is a perfect replacement for a bow. You may have noticed me sneak in the Golden Oreos or Rooster Teeth’s logo to celebrate the recent news (Jaune’s put a little sticker on the pummel of his sword).

With editing, I still run into trouble every now and then as I learn and familiarize myself with my software. Even now after a year of practicing it, and a decent chunk on gimp in particular. On this edit I ran into a weird issue with the color picker tool, where when I sampled a color, the brush would only apply a pastel or grayer version of that color. Wasn’t sure how I enabled that, if it was a glitch or I accidentally enabled some key shortcut or something. I worked my way around it though, in the most obtuse manner.

Pretty cool to be learning something new as I go through these edits. Like all the color correcting for my Vacuan Nights meme. Or even small quality of life things like how I decided to start making thicker outlines for the text about halfway through. That’s something that helps making the words pop, the outlines were a bit too thin before. And at the end I can really pump out some of the more complicated edits that used to take me a long time a year ago.

Redrawing Jaune for panel 9 was a ton of tedious busywork. The screenshot I pulled that from had bad lighting from the portal behind Jaune, so I needed to fill in colors for proper lighting. I think it came out pretty spectacularly.

And I just really like the premise for this meme. CRWBY helping push White Knight along, but the relationship was already well on its way in the background. That little bag of ‘cupid’ rocks just seems really cute to me, too. Fun, cheap little drawing.

Chibi Ruby is cute as can be; so happy they gave us this version of her in Beyond. Especially like that devious look I gave her. Yang looks great too, really enjoy Beyond’s style, and the exasperated palm to the face. And, of course, I loved writing and drawing up the cute interaction between Jaune and Weiss. She needs to see those shark pups! :)

Anyway, hope you all enjoy your Valentine’s Day, and this fun little meme I drew up.

[mbta-unofficial]

The Cultural Phenomenon that is The Matrix (1999)

Like the last essay I posted here, this is an early draft of what might become something more substantial. It has nods to other WIPs including a cultural phenomonon essay on Harry Potter, and there are other works I have my eye on like Stuart Semple's Pinkest Pink, AI weiwei's Ouvre, the CHARLIE HEBDO terror attacks, and Hamilton which I think are central to the political culture of the 21st century. Feedback is encouraged and if you want to send me works of art that you think are part of a broader cultural phenomenon I'd love to hear them.

At least in American political culture, few works have been as influential over the last 3 decades as The Matrix by Lilly and Lana Wachowski. In brief, software engineer Thomas Anderson discovers rumors on the internet of something called The Matrix. Federal Agents appear at his workplace and capture and interrogate him about what he knows. He is recruited by a team of rebels that reveal that the whole world he believes he understands is an advanced computer simulation which imprisons all of humanity. He is offered a choice, take a blue pill that will erase his memory of the rebels and allow him to return to his job and life beneath the attention of the “agents,” advanced programs that look like federal agents but in fact work for the robots imprisoning humanity, or take a red pill that will remove him from the matrix entirely to experience the real world. Anderson chooses the red pill and is believed by the rebels to be “Neo,” a hero prophesized to end the imprisoning of humanity in the matrix. In an operation gone wrong because of a betrayal from the inside, rebel leader Morpheus is trapped in the Matrix. Anderson and the rebels reenter the matrix, Confront Agent Smith, rescue Morpheus, and Anderson becomes Neo gaining superhuman abilities in the matrix.

This movie fits into a tradition of pulp sci-fi in which ragtag heroes overthrow an oppressive force, but where it gains its political currency is primarily through its identification of the world itself as the oppressive structure. Specifically, there is an illusionary world created for the sole purpose of oppressing humanity, but its illusions are in fact extremely charming. Cypher, the traitor who assists the agents in capturing Morpheus, wants to return to the Matrix and is disgusted with the real world behind the illusion. He is portrayed as materialistic compared to the idealistic rest of the crew, creating pornographic simulations for himself to enjoy inside the matrix, and being uninterested in their philosophical ideas about freedom. Cypher and Agent Smith’s defeats represent the triumph of Neo and the rebels ideas over the oppressive structure. Nothing about this immediately captures the political energy this movie would generate. It was followed by two less successful sequels with more bombastic cinematic set-pieces, but which have not apparently stuck in public consciousness like the original.

Philosophically, it recreates nearly identically Plato’s allegory of the Cave, from Republic. In brief, Plato writes that Socrates proposes a cave in which people are chained from birth and shown shadows on a cave wall. They have no reason to believe, until they leave the cave, that there is a world apart, and grow to understand deep subtleties in the world of the cave. When you remove someone from this cave, they are weakened by their lack of knowledge and the brightness of the real sun outside, and if they were to ever return to the cave, they would find that the subtleties they enjoyed and appreciated about the life of the cave would be overwhelmed by the force of outside reality, and they would come into conflict with cave dwellers about the nature of reality because the experiences they had outside the cave would be incomprehensible to those inside. The Matrix agrees with Plato’s argument that only those “Outside the Cave” or free from the Matrix are capable of self-government, and consequently of holding power in society, because those in the cave don’t understand reality as wider than or separate from their understanding of the shadows on the cave wall.

For a certain set, this idea is politically intoxicating, because of what it says about the relationship between them and others. If you can come to believe that you understand one deep truth that others do not, you are seeing “reality” while others are only in “the matrix.” You therefore deserve political power over those who do not understand because of your understanding of “reality.” Among certain people in the tech industry this idea proposed that their understanding of and capacity to create the computer systems underneath modern banking, logistics, identity, social media, and information technology meant that they understood everything they needed to understand to deserve to rule the world.

The conspiratorial nature of the events of the movie also reinforce the insular nature of knowledge about the matrix. It is a thing ordinary people don’t know about, and you can expect people to be dismissive or even hostile when you attempt to share knowledge of the matrix with them. For misogynists looking to recruit socially awkward people online, the framework of the Matrix and its “red pill” gave a perfect frame into which to fit a conspiracy theory about the power women have over men. What only the men who have “taken the red pill” believe is that women are basically subhuman and are primarily motivated by sex with dominant men. Therefore, men looking to have sex with women must, instead of attempting to engage with them as human beings, either abuse and manipulate them into complete emotional reliance on them as “responsible” men or accept that they will never get what they think they want because of an inability to become sufficiently manly. These are “incels” in their own and others’ language about them.

While these groups are small, they have had an outsized impact on American political culture. The particularities of what they believe and the writings of their thought leaders are far less important than recognizing their tactics, which primarily include grooming impressionable self-described social outcasts into abandoning their wider social circles in favor of these radical communities. It’s here that the ideology of the Matrix actually becomes the basis for what these people do politically: members are groomed to believe that they are special because of their disconnect from others and that their disconnect from others must be nurtured so they can come to see the truth. Just like the Matrix, believers are set apart from “normies,” those out of the know, who might be concerned about the apparent disconnect between what they are hearing from the nascent radical and their experiences. Rejection from “normies” is an affirmation of the truth of the ideology. If that sounds like a cult, you are understanding the psychological tools at play. However, unlike most cults, the specific combination of desire for political power and access to silicon valley money has meant that the influence of these people goes far beyond the mere fandom of this sci-fi movie or people in small boards on reddit.

When you look at a modern political cult that has recruited thousands and carried out real attacks on US democracy like Qanon, you should recognize that the thought leaders of Qanon are the thought leaders of these message boards, and that Donald Trump’s political career is in many ways directly owed to people who organized these early internet social spaces.

That said, I want to also mark a profound irony to the Matrix: It is at its core, also a movie about transgender experiences. In the initial cut of the movie, one of the rebels was going to be played by two actors, a man in the real world and a woman in the matrix. The red pills were modeled on the real estrogen pills taken by the directors to trans their genders. At the core of the Matrix’s plot is Neo’s rejection of the identity that he is given by the world of the Matrix, the persona of Thomas Anderson, and embracing a new identity, community, and name.

The movie is by two trans women about their experiences of being trans women and the isolation and disillusion with society that causes. Yet, by making a movie about disillusion and isolation, they also created a vocabulary to discuss disillusion that people who had been radicalized into hating women, democracy, and diversity to isolate people and dismantle whatever guards those isolated people had against radical hatred of women, democracy, and diversity. Nobody can blame the Wachowski sisters for what the world did with their movie. When I discuss Harry Potter, I think the opposite holds true: the cultural phenomenon attached to Harry Potter is as disconnected from authorial intent as the cultural phenomenon attached to The Matrix. JK Rowling’s cultural phenomenon extends far past the impact of her books because her actions were so directly political while her books were so distinctly inoffensive and anodine. Moreover, Rowling herself is undoubtedly a victim of the cultural movement precipitated by the Matrix to radicalize people against the trans people who made it.

I want to be careful not to overstate the cultural importance of this movie. Like each of the works that I want to discuss, it changed language and influenced a subculture that produced several violent political movements, but the people who used it had their own agendas for change and it’s reasonable to think that if they hadn’t latched on to this story they might have found another one. I don’t think its fair to conclude from the history that it conclusively created anything that wouldn’t have existed without it beyond fanworks or derivative media, and that its role in politics is limited to political communication. However, communicating political ideas determines what ideas get spread. The Matrix provided a primer in the ideas of Plato’s Cave: of another world that we are kept from that could radically change our understanding, and the idea that everything you know about the world might be a lie. For any radical that is an openness you require in people who you want to recruit. It also marks the very boundaries of acceptable political communication as the basis of political struggle. Before the Matrix, politicians could be thought to win on policies, while the goalposts of political life were more or less static. Afterwards, people started to provoke the political establishment with questions about the playing field itself. Once you accept that we could be living in the matrix, you ask what exists outside of the ideological boundaries you learn in schools. To a trans person, the notion of Male and Female become suspect. To Donald Trump’s inner circle, the same questions are provoked about Democracy and the Rule of Law as we know them.

[sexyirish7]

Irish Flags

Top Row: Irish Tricolor, The Green Harp Flag

Middle Row: 2 versions of the Starry Plough, Irish Confederacy Flag

Bottom Row: Kingdom of Ireland Flag, Irish Presidential Standard Flag

DOWNLOAD for FREE: SFS

OR at Patreon*

*You must be over 18 to access my Patreon page.

Creations by SexyIrish7

This cc object was produced as a selective clone using Sims 4 Studio.

Swatch 1: Irish Tricolor - National Flag of the Republic of Ireland (first used in 1848, officially adopted in 1937

Swatch 2: The Green Harp Flag - First used in 1642, later considered to be the unofficial Irish Flag from 1798 until 1916

Swatches 3-4: The Starry Plough - Originally used by the Irish Citizen Army under the leadership of James Connolly in 1916. Represents the struggle of the common man.

Swatch 5: Irish Confederacy Flag Used during Irish Confederate Wars 1642-1652

Swatch 6: Kingdom of Ireland Flag Used 1542-1800

Swatch 7: Irish Presidential Standard Flag Used since the 16th century

Polygon Count: 952

All CC have:

*Ability to search catalog using search terms: sexyirish7 and si7

*Customized thumbnail

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CREDITS:

Software credits:

Sims 4 Studio v. 3.2.3.5 (Star): https://sims4studio.com

GIMP v. 2.10.34: https://www.gimp.org/

Inkscape v. 1.2: https://inkscape.org/

Thank you to the creators and moderators producing tutorials and answering questions!

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Image Credits:

Easter Pin: https://irishpatriotstore.com/product/easter-lilly-badge/

Swatches 1-2: public domain and https://www.shanore.com/blog/the-irish-flag-and-its-history/

Swatches 3-4: https://irishstudies.sunygeneseoenglish.org/the-starry-plough-flag/

Swatches 5-7: https://www.theirishpassport.com/2021/04/07/flags-discussed-in-our-latest-episode/

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TOU:

Do not re-upload and claim as your own

Do not re-upload and hide behind a paywall

[pristinenewphonemodel]

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Character designs and info are below

CEO (aka Lance Republic)

Ability: Program Rewrite

Allows him to change/rewrite someone's "program" and "coding." Basically changing other people's personalities by change how they act, behave, and overall nature.

Age: 10

Birthday: August 15

Height: 4'9

Likes: [Classified]

Dislikes: [Classified]

Android LS500, model 37779 (aka Grian)

Programing set of skills: [Classified]

Activation day: 8-15-2024

Height: 6'1

Android LS600, model 4001 (aka Temperance)

Programming set of skills: [Classified]

Activation day: 8-26-2024

Height: 6'1

Android LS700, model 1 (aka [Classified])

Programming set of skills: [Classified]

Activation day: 09-01-2024

Height: 6'1

Android LS600, model 5009 (Unnamed)

Programming set of skills: [Classified]

Activation day: 1-1-2025

Height: 6'1